Licensing Information

Regulations, Restrictions and Requirements

"Automotive Recycler" means a person who is engaged in the business of buying or acquiring a motor vehicle solely for the purpose of dismantling, selling or otherwise disposing of the parts or accessories and who dismantles six or more vehicles in a calendar year.

"Broker" means a person who for a fee, commission or other valuable consideration offers to provide, provides or represents that the person will provide a service of arranging or assisting in effecting the purchase of a motor vehicle and who is not

a new motor vehicle dealer or an employee or agent of a new motor vehicle dealer.

a used motor vehicle dealer or an employee or agent of a used motor vehicle dealer.

a manufacturer or an employee or agent of a manufacturer.

an auctioneer or engaged in the auto auction business.

a wholesale motor vehicle dealer.

"New Motor Vehicle Dealer" means a person who buys, sells, exchanges or offers or attempts to negotiate a sale or exchange of any interest in, or who is engaged in the business of selling, new motor vehicles or used motor vehicles taken in trade on new motor vehicles or used vehicles purchased for resale.

"Public Consignment Auction Dealer" means a person who at the public consignment auction dealer's established place of business or at an authorized off-premises location pursuant to the requirements of Section 28-4401 in the business of both of the following:

Conducting live auctions with a licensed auctioneer verbally calling for and accepting bids

Providing live auction services to the public on a consignment contract basis

"Used Motor Vehicle Dealer" means a person, other than a new motor vehicle dealer, who buys, sells, auctions, exchanges or offers or attempts to negotiate a sale or exchange of any interest in, or who is engaged in the business of selling, four or more used motor vehicles in a continuous 12 month period. Used motor vehicle dealer does not include a wholesale motor vehicle auction dealer or public consignment auction dealer.

"Wholesale Motor Vehicle Auction Dealer" means a person who is in the business of providing auction services solely in wholesale transactions to motor vehicle dealers licensed by this state or any other jurisdiction, and who neither buys, sells nor owns the motor vehicles he or she auctions in the ordinary course of business.

Each partner and each applicant who owns 20% or more of an entity and who seeks a new license must provide a personal history form and fingerprint card to enable the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) to conduct a criminal records check.

The criminal records check may not apply if the application is for a subsequent license, or each partner and each applicant owning 20 percent or more of an entity has completed a criminal records check through MVD during the past five years, or is currently licensed.

An applicant, as referenced above, who has been convicted of fraud or an auto-related felony within the last ten years or any other type of felony within the last five years will have his or her license application denied.

If application is denied, MVD will notify the applicant in writing of the denial and the grounds for the denial. The applicant may appeal the denial by requesting an administrative hearing and, if the denial is upheld, appeal to the Maricopa County Superior Court. See ARS 28-4365 for more information.

A copy of the Buy/Sell Agreement must be submitted at the time of application, whenever a prospective dealer purchases an existing dealership. All parties involved must sign the agreement, including partners, directors, officers, stockholders owning 20 percent or more of a corporation, etc.

Established place of business must be a permanent enclosed building or structure, owned either in fee or leased, with sufficient space to display two or more vehicles of a kind and type that the dealer is licensed to sell. The established place of business must be devoted principally to the business of a dealer.

A used motor vehicle dealer, public consignment auction dealer or automotive recycler may use a trailer as an office.

A wholesale motor vehicle dealer may operate from a location zoned for residential use. Applicants should contact their local city or county office to ensure compliance with local zoning ordinances.

Each motor vehicle dealer and automotive recycler sign must be legible for 300 feet during daylight. The sign must be permanently erected on the ground or permanently affixed to the building. The sign must indicate that the business of a motor vehicle dealer or automotive recycler is conducted at or from the premises.

A public consignment auction dealer must also post at the public consignment auction dealer's established place of business, a sign indicating that the public consignment auction dealer is exempt from

implied warranty of merchantability described in ARS 28-4412 and 44-1267.

emissions inspection pursuant to ARS 49-542D.

A wholesale motor vehicle dealer or broker must erect a permanent sign (of any size) at the entrance of the place of business. The sign must indicate that the business of a wholesale motor vehicle dealer or broker is conducted at or from the premises.

A permanent license will expire when the licensee fails, neglects or refuses to pay the required fee for the ensuing year. If a licensee fails, neglects or refuses to pay the required fee for the ensuing year on or before license expiration, the fee must be deemed delinquent and penalty equal to the fee will be added thereto and collected.

Renewal of any motor vehicle license type must be completed at ServiceArizona.com. To establish a username and password, please contact the ServiceArizona Assistance Desk by calling 866.436.9533 or emailing ezhelp@us.ibm.com. Renewals will not be accepted through the Dealer Licensing Unit.

Note: It is the motor vehicle dealer's responsibility to update all contact information through either ServiceArizona.com or the Dealer Licensing Unit.

All licensees are required to have computer and Internet access. Electronic access is required to accomplish various business functions related to your license to include renewing licenses and plates, issuing TRP's, 30-Day General Use permits and corresponding with MVD. Please email the Dealer Licensing Unit to obtain current technical specifications.

Dealers selling on a non-cash basis may be required to obtain an AZDFI motor vehicle dealer/sales finance sales license from Arizona Department of Financial Institutions. Application for this license may be made simultaneously when applying for an ADOT motor vehicle dealer license.